Chapter 46

In a quick moment, Cole was in front of her. Simply there. He leaned in, their breath mingling. His warm lips touched hers lightly, and he kissed her.

His scent was that of the pine forest, the air and the land around them, and it dazzled her. His strength, his determination to treat her exactly the way she wanted to be treated, ever-changing as it was—dazzled her more.

Her heart jumped. Expanded. His hand reached for her shoulder, gentled her close, then tangled in her hair. Behind her, John QT grumped as his snout slid off her foot, but it was the last thing on her mind. She was lost in the moment with this good man. With this handsome cowboy.

Worlds passed through them as they sampled, tasted, deeply. When they finally broke the kiss, they were both breathing hard. Tabby swallowed, and realized she didn’t have her defenses up as seriously as she’d told herself she would. And at the moment, she didn’t care. At all.

Cole scrutinized her. “That wasn’t out of line, was it?”

“I kissed you back too, you know.”

“I know.” He poked at a tall piece of grass, pulled at it. “But…”

“Cole Dawson. I can take care of myself. You don’t need to take care of every single person in the world all the time, you know.”

He shook his head. “You’re the last woman on earth I think needs a man. That needs someone to take care of her.”

She was glad he’d said that. But also, another thought dawned on her, made her wince.

Here she was making a big deal of taking care of herself. Making it a hallmark of her personality. While she’d accepted the man's hospitality, the hospitality of his whole damn family, along with lodging, food, and hadn’t contributed a blasted dime.

Ouch. Definitely not a score. She felt the heat rise in her face. “I’ll be submitting the first couple of chapters to Jaclyn within a few days, Cole. I've already roughed it out in my mind.”

A bit surprised by the turn in conversation, Cole blinked. “Um…great?"

“No, just that my work is in process, and I want you to know that. I’ll get my first advance next week, and other than a couple of small credit card bills that need to be paid, I can give you a bit for food and upkeep and whatever else on Saturday. A decent amount, if your bank’s open on the weekend.”

“It is, Tabby. In Dawson. I can take you in, if you want.”

Yes. Now, this worked for her.

She hated being a beggar. She’d had tastes of it through her life, all too often. Especially in the hospital, and after. It had driven her absolutely crazy. Worse?

On a deeper level, it had decimated her. She had to earn her keep.

“Well, that’s fine then.” She took a moment to really see him. A beautiful hunk of man. A cowboy, propped on his elbow, watching her. Jeans, the black t-shirt, stretched across that broad chest.

What she wouldn’t do to rip that shirt off over the top of his head, toss it, and enjoy what lay beneath…

“You know, that’s another thing I really admire about you.”

She bit back the grin. Now he was reading her fantasies? “Huh?”

“That you’re so serious about paying your way. Oh, don’t get me wrong. We all need help at times. But your principles in this area—you impress me, Miss Tabitha Grey.”

The smile that blossomed on her face was genuine, and she couldn't have held it back if she tried. He got her. And what’s more, he seemed to like who she was. In each, ever-changing moment, he seemed to be good with who she was.

His cell buzzed, interrupted them. He pulled it from his pocket, and she saw him wince. The grimace he routinely gave when something was threatening his beautiful ranch, their family or animals, or anyone he loved, appeared.

He nodded, grunted a one-syllable response, then shoved the cell back into his pocket and she saw he was trying to school his face again. Despite how they’d stopped time for so many moments here, reality was still there, intruding.

“Did I say you impress me?” He tried to drag the moment back, his eyes fastened on her, once again.

But she wasn’t having it. “Then it’s time for me to start writing the words that will give me the ability to do just that.”

He looked so sad though, that she reached forward, laid her lips on his quickly, surprising him, then pulled back just as quick. She gave John QT a couple of quick pats, rousting the wolfhound. The dog scrambled up and followed her lead, though reluctantly, she picked up.

Two men that want to be doing something else. And oh, I guess…me too.

“By the way, Cole.” She gave him a slow, lazy smile. “Thanks for giving me the start of my next scene.”